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Guided by the refined sensibility of her mentor Gabriel Fauré, the legendary French pedagogue Nadia Boulanger became one of the most influential musical figures of the 20th century. Her singular devotion to craft, her embrace of both tradition and innovation, and her deep understanding of musical structure helped shape the voices of an entire generation of composers from around the world.For its season-opening concert, Mistral pays tribute to Boulanger’s extraordinary legacy with a vibrant program featuring works by some of her most renowned students, as well as music from her own inner circle.
The program opens with "D’un Matin de Printemps," a radiant trio by Nadia’s gifted sister, Lili Boulanger, performed by Mistral violist Stephanie Fong, pianist Max Levinson, and cellist Owen Young. Violinist Julianne Lee— principal second violinist of the Boston Symphony and recently returned to Boston after two seasons with the celebrated Dover Quartet—will offer two of Lili’s luminous miniatures, Nocturne and Cortège.
Flutist and Mistral’s founding artistic director Julie Scolnik will present excerpts from Copland’s lyrical Flute Sonata, as well as Piazzolla’s evocative Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, arranged for flute, cello, and piano. Lee will also dazzle with a virtuosic arrangement of Bernstein’s showstopper “Glitter and Be Gay” from Candide.
Mistral pianist Max Levinson will take a solo turn with Juba Dance by Canadian American composer R. Nathaniel Dett, a trailblazing Black composer and Boulanger student who fused African American spirituals with classical forms to powerful effect.
The concert culminates with the powerful Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15 by Gabriel Fauré—Nadia Boulanger’s own revered teacher—bringing the evening full circle.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Saint Paul St, Brookline, MA 02446, United States
